Whalesbook
Fiscal Neglect in Key Sectors
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has launched a scathing attack on the Union Budget 2025-26, calling it "completely hollow and disappointing" and claiming it discriminates against Haryana. He asserted that the budget failed to provide any relief to the common man, farmers, laborers, villagers, or the middle class.
Hooda specifically pointed to significant alleged budget cuts across critical sectors. He stated that spending on education, as a percentage of GDP, has decreased from over 2.3 percent in 2002-03 to a mere 1.1 percent, less than half. Similarly, health expenditure has fallen below 1 percent, a sharp decline from the 2.5 percent target set in 2017. Reductions were also cited for rural development (₹53,067 crore), urban development (₹39,573 crore), social welfare (₹9,999 crore), agriculture (₹6,985 crore), education (₹6,701 crore), and health (₹3,686 crore).
Farmer and Employment Concerns
The opposition leader also highlighted the perceived neglect of farmers, noting the absence of provisions for loan waivers or fixing Minimum Support Prices (MSP) according to the National Commission on Farmers' recommendations. Hooda warned that the government is preparing to dismantle the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which he described as a direct attack on the rights of marginalized rural communities and a vital support system for employment and poverty alleviation.
Broader Economic Criticism
Beyond specific sectors, Hooda criticized the budget for its failure to address inflation and unemployment. He also raised concerns about the government's unclear stance on cryptocurrency taxation. He pointed to a substantial decrease in revenue expenditure by ₹75,168 crore and significant cuts in capital expenditure at both central and state levels. Hooda concluded by labeling the budget as evidence of the ruling party's "anti-people policies," asserting that it ignores the interests of both Haryana and the entire country.